Boys basketball: Tigers are in a predicament

Thursday

Nov 29, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 29, 2012 at 12:46 PM

When the high-school boys basketball season tips off on Friday, 801 teams will share a strikingly similar vision. They imagine their hard work, talent, team chemistry and community support culminating in a state championship before thousands of fans at Value City Arena. Players and fans sing along to We Are the Champions. Nets are cut. Hugs are shared. History is made. Odds of this fantasy becoming reality are roughly 200 to 1, but for a team like Pickerington Central - which won its first Division I title in March - an awkward situation presents itself.

Steve Blackledge, The Columbus Dispatch

When the high-school boys basketball season tips off on Friday, 801 teams will share a strikingly similar vision.

They imagine their hard work, talent, team chemistry and community support culminating in a state championship before thousands of fans at Value City Arena. Players and fans sing along to We Are the Champions. Nets are cut. Hugs are shared. History is made.

Odds of this fantasy becoming reality are roughly 200 to 1, but for a team like Pickerington Central — which won its first Division I title in March — an awkward situation presents itself. What does one do for an encore? Can the Tigers be satisfied with anything less than a repeat?

“There are so many words to describe what the past eight or nine months have meant to this basketball program,” coach Jerry Francis said. “It’s been exciting and exhausting at the same time. All the celebrations and ceremonies were wonderful, and we’ve been treated royally by our community.”

Senior guard Connor Kern, one of the most level-headed and mature returning players, said that carrying the title of state champion is a bit overwhelming.

“Everywhere you go, players from the other teams ask what it’s like,” Kern said.

“The great run we made to get to the state not only was fun, but it was a valuable experience for the players. I’ve got to think we’re more confident now that we’ve done it, and we realize the kind of work ethic and attitude it takes to get to the top. On the other hand, I’m sure everybody’s going to be pointing to us. It’s a different situation, a completely different bunch of guys we’ve got now, and it will be interesting to see how it all comes down.”

During the run by Pickerington Central (26-2), insiders predicted that the program might be on the verge of becoming a dynasty. They cited returning players, an influx of upcoming young talent and the promise of potential transfers eager to play for Francis and a state-caliber program.

The dominoes didn’t tumble that way. Leading scorer Caris LeVert and lockdown defender Chad Nelson graduated. Javon Bess, considered one of the top junior prospects in Ohio, transferred back to his native Gahanna. Taco Charlton, a 6-foot-6, 235-pound force inside, opted to graduate early to enroll at the University of Michigan, where he will play football next fall.

All of a sudden, Pickerington Central’s team consisted of 6-5 junior forward Jae’Sean Tate, who has committed to Ohio State, Kern and, in Francis’ words, “a bunch of guys who haven’t proven anything yet and don’t need to be mentioned.” Of the returners, 6-6 senior Darryl LeVert (six minutes) was the only reserve to play more than a minute in the state tournament. Three freshmen will play varsity.

“Last year was last year. This is a completely new team, and the sooner they recognize that and develop a passion for learning and improving possession game by game, quarter by quarter, possession by possession they’ll be a lot better off,” Francis said. “It’s my job to help them understand and grasp this concept and not get frustrated. With patience comes improvement and with improvement comes confidence.”

Francis believes the Tigers might be more athletic throughout the lineup than last season, but that roles and cohesiveness still are being solidified.

Kern maintained that the players don’t seem infatuated with repeating as state champion. Winning an Ohio Capital Conference Ohio Division title with the likes of Newark, Gahanna and Reynoldsburg will be challenging enough.

“I think our strength is going to be defense,” Kern said. “We’re going to be quick and guard-oriented. More of it is probably going to be on Jae’Sean’s and my shoulders.

“I think we should be able to put together a pretty good team by tournament time. Hopefully, we’l l make a run and surprise some people. As far a goal, though, it’s just to be the best team we can be.”

sblackledge@dispatch.com

Tough to repeat

How recent area state champions have fared the season after winning the title: